Open AccessGenetic Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi and Detection of B. bissettii-Like DNA in Serum of North-Coastal California Residents
Author(s) -
Yvette A. Girard,
Natalia Fedorova,
Robert S. Lane
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.01689-10
Subject(s) - borrelia burgdorferi , lyme disease , biology , genetic diversity , genotype , borrelia , virulence , virology , polymerase chain reaction , tick , spirochaetaceae , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , genetics , gene , antibody , population , medicine , environmental health
In North America, Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a tick-borne disease caused by infection with the spirocheteBorrelia burgdorferi . We studied the genetic diversity of LB spirochetes in north-coastal California residents. Spirochete DNA was detected in 23.7% (27/114) of the study subjects using a PCR protocol optimized for increased sensitivity in human sera. Californians were most commonly infected withB. burgdorferi ospC genotype A, a globally widespread spirochete associated with high virulence in LB patients. Sequence analysis ofrrf-rrl andp66 loci in 11% (3/27) of the PCR-positive study subjects revealed evidence of infection with an organism closely related toB. bissettii . This spirochete, heretofore associated with LB only in Europe, is widely distributed among ticks and wildlife in North America. Further molecular testing of sera from residents in areas where LB is endemic is warranted to enhance our understanding of the geographic distribution and frequency of occurrence ofB. bissettii -like infections.